My Stay Safe At Home Birthday

The calendar turned over another page yesterday, adding a new number to my age.  My 56th birthday was unlike any other.  There would be no going out to eat.  No leisurely stroll through the mall, seeing if there was something to catch my eye.  We would not go to the zoo or the beach or well just about anywhere!

One thing we can still do is exercise.  I decided I wanted to go for a bike ride.  To make it even more interesting, I decided I wanted to ride my age.  Then I realized I am too old for that, so I changed it to riding my age in kilometers.  56 miles = approximately 35 miles.

We left our house around 7:30 yesterday morning.  Les has video cameras that he mounts on his bike.  He caught some cool action shots.  Here we are trying to make a heart with our hands, while going about 15 mph.

These two shots happened as I was flipping one of my braids.  I always wear my hair in two braids when I'm cycling and they tend to fall forward and get in the way.  So, grab the braid...

and flip!

Our total distance was 35.71 miles in two hours and 47 minutes.  I burned over 1300 calories, so I thoroughly enjoyed fajitas from Chili's (Les willingly picked it up) and a delicious slice of chocolate cake!

Throughout the day I received so many birthday wishes via text.  I was not forgotten and I felt very loved.  Not such an unusual birthday after all!

Affliction, Poverty and Joy

My Bible reading yesterday morning included 2 Corinthians chapter 8.  I know I've read this before, but the first five verses really grabbed my attention:

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 

"In a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty..."  There's just something unusual about reading about someone with great affliction and deep poverty having an abundance of joy.  It reminded me of playing "which one doesn't belong" with numbers, colors and shapes.  Affliction, poverty and joy.  Which one doesn't belong?

I looked at a number of translations.  I really liked these: 

Brothers and sisters, we want you to know how God showed his kindness to the churches in the province of Macedonia. While they were being severely tested by suffering, their overflowing joy, along with their extreme poverty, has made them even more generous I assure you that by their own free will they have given all they could, even more than they could afford. They made an appeal to us, begging us to let them participate in the ministry of God’s kindness to his holy people in Jerusalem. They did more than we had expected. First, they gave themselves to the Lord and to us, since this was God’s will. (God's Word)

Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could—far more than they could afford!—pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians.  This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard.  (The Message)

How did these precious saints have an abundance of joy?  They were greatly afflicted and extremely poor, but they had joy.  Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible says:

Their joy arising from the hopes and promises of the gospel. Notwithstanding their persecutions, their joy has abounded, and the effect of their joy has been seen in the liberal contribution which they have made. Their joy could not be repressed by their persecution, and they cheerfully contributed largely to the aid of others.
If a people have the joys of the gospel; if they have the consolations of religion themselves, they will somehow or other find means to contribute to the welfare of others. They will be willing to labor with reference to it, or they will find something which they can sacrifice or spare. Even their deep poverty will abound in the fruits of benevolence.

Last year I wrote "The Superpower for All of Us."  Joy is the second fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians chapter 5.  Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible describes joy as, "The exultation that arises from a sense of God’s mercy communicated to the soul in the pardon of its iniquities, and the prospect of that eternal glory of which it has the foretaste in the pardon of sin."  Nothing in that description talks about our current circumstances.  There is no mention of finances or trouble.  No matter the situation, joy can be had.  Not because of what we have, but because of Who we belong to and the mercy He has given us.

Monday Chuckles

I'm so thankful for my many friends and family who keep me smiling!

And a special thanks to the sidewalk chalk artists in my neighborhood who continue to inspire!

I was at Target on Saturday.  I may have sent this picture to a friend or two...

Happy Monday!  Make it a great day!

Friday Foodie

Week four of Stay Home, Stay Safe brought a little extra cooking at our house.  Sadly, I didn't take pictures of most of the goodness.  I took two recipes - Stromboli and Cresent Chicken Casserole - and made:

Italian Crescents

1 can crescent rolls (8 rolls)
Italian seasonings and Garlic salt
12 slices Genoa Salami
Parmesan cheese
8 pieces Provolone Cheese
12-16 Slices Of Pepperoni
1/2 cup marinara sauce of choice

1. Separate rolls on lightly greased pan.
2. Sprinkle Italian seasonings and garlic salt on crust
3. Layer ingredients - I cut the meat and cheese in half and layered on each crescent.
4. Roll each crescent.
5. Baked at 350 for 12-15 minutes until crust is a deep brown
6. Heat marinara sauce, pour over crescents and enjoy!

This was a hit!  We enjoy Stromboli when I make it, but it makes a lot of servings and does not reheat well.  We got two meals out of this - I heated the leftovers in the microwave for a couple of minutes, then put them in the oven for another 5.

One of the challenges of grocery shopping lately is not knowing what will be in the stores.  I usually plan my menu on Monday, make my list (I'm still using the Out of Milk app and I love it!) and head to the store.  I haven't found all the ingredients I've wanted, so I've improvised.  One pleasant surprise was a package of chicken wings that I bought on impulse.  They came with sauce to add after baking.  I decided to make a Parmesan Garlic rub.  Once the wings were cooked, I melted a little butter and dipped each wing in the butter.  I mixed about 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese with some garlic salt in a Ziploc bag, then added the wings.  I shook the wings until coated, then put them back on the pan and back in the oven for 2-3 minutes.  If you like Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic wings, you need to try this.

Now for the finale of the week: 

Lemon Monkey Bread Minis!

Quite a mouthful, right?  This is another recipe combo that I tweaked with what I had on hand.  I bought a bunch of beautiful berries - strawberries, blueberries and raspberries on Wednesday.  As soon as Les saw them he said, "Strawberry shortcake?"  That's one of his top 3 desserts so I thought I better do something about it.  I did not want to go back to the store so I looked around at what I had on hand.  I had some Bisquick and could have made shortcakes, but I wanted a little more.  I also had some canned biscuits in the fridge.  I Googled "lemon monkey bread with biscuits" and life got sweet!  I've made monkey bread with biscuits before, I've even made Apple Fritter Monkey Bread, but this one was the best yet!  While I was on the Pillsbury website drooling over the recipe, I saw "Monkey Bread Minis" and I knew what I was going to make.

The two original recipes are here:
Lemon Monkey Bread
Monkey Bread Minis

I was missing one key ingredient - lemon pudding and pie mix.  Again, not going back to the store, so here's how I made Kathy's Lemon Monkey Bread Minis!

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

2 cans (7.5 oz each) Pillsbury™ refrigerated biscuits

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 to 2 drops yellow food color

Steps
1 Grease or spray 12 regular-size muffin cups. Mix butter and brown sugar; spoon 1 tablespoon mixture into each muffin cup.  ** I wasn't paying close attention here.  While I was melting the butter, I combined the brown sugar with the granulated sugar and lemon zest.  Once I realized my mistake, I just went with it.  I spooned the butter in the muffin cups and continued on to step two.**
2 Mix granulated sugar and lemon zest (and brown sugar if you're blond) in 1-gallon bag. Separate dough into 20 biscuits; cut each in 6 pieces. Shake pieces in bag to coat. Place 10 pieces in each muffin cup.
3 Bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

4 In small bowl, stir together powdered sugar and enough lemon juice until smooth and drizzling consistency. Add enough food color for desired yellow color; mix well. Drizzle glaze over warm monkey bread.
5 Serve warm with berries.  Top with ice cream if desired.

If you like lemon desserts, you need to try this ASAP!  Put these ingredients on your next shopping list - they are essential!

Fear Not! He Is Risen!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!  I hope you take the time to rejoice that we have a risen Savior!

The greatest "Fear Not" in the Bible happened at dawn on the first day of the week.  Once again, an angel was dispatched with news.  Matthew chapter 28 records:

1) In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2)  And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3)  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4)  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5)  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6)  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7)  And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8)  And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9)  And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10)  Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Several commentaries pointed out the word "ye" in verse 5.  The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary put it this way, "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye — The “ye” here is emphatic, to contrast their case with that of the guards. “Let those puny creatures, sent to keep the Living One among the dead, for fear of Me shake and become as dead men; but ye that have come hither on another errand, fear not ye."

The Biblical Illustrator by Joseph S. Exell, M.A. said this:
Fears dispelled
Why should not the seekers of Jesus fear?
I. Because in seeking Him, they have an evidence that He has sought them, and found them, and touched their hearts.
II. They that seek Christ should rejoice; for in seeking they shall certainly find.
III. In finding Christ, they find everything suited to banish their fears. Christ has magnified the law. Sin taken away that troubles the conscience; death disarmed of his sting; the grave of its terrors; the dominion of Satan destroyed.
IV. Nothing shall finally separate them who have sought and found Christ

I know I posted this song earlier this month, but here it is again.  My favorite song for this morning is "Easter Song" written by Keith Green.  You can hear his version here.  Second Chapter of Acts does a fabulous job with it, too (listen here).  Turn up the volume and sing along!  You can't have fear and joy at the same time.

Hear the bells ringing
They're singing that you can be born again
Hear the bells ringing
They're singing Christ is risen from the dead

The angel up on the tombstone
Said He is risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead

Joy to the world, He is risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah, hallelujah

Hear the bells ringing
They're singing that we can be born again
Hear the bells ringing, they're singing
Christ is risen from the dead

The angel up on the tombstone
Said He is risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead

Joy to the world, He is risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah!

How to Face Uncertain Days

I spent time playing the piano yesterday. Most of the songs I chose were about the cross and the resurrection. One of the songs I played was "Because He Lives." The song was written by Bill and Gloria Gaither in 1971.  Most of us are familiar with verse 1:

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Verse 3 is also pretty familiar:

And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

Verse 2 is what caught my attention yesterday.  In an interview, Bill and Gloria said, "Because He Lives’ was written in the midst of social upheaval, threats of war, and betrayals of national and personal trust. It was into this world at such a time that we were bringing our third little baby. Assassinations, drug traffic, and war monopolized the headlines. It was in the midst of this kind of uncertainty that the assurance of the Lordship of the risen Christ blew across our troubled minds like a cooling breeze in the parched desert. Holding our tiny son in our arms we were able to write:"

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

After our trip to the Philippines, I wrote about our Sunday morning in Lucena:  "We sang "Because He Lives" and it was just beautiful!  EVERYONE sang.  The entire church was the praise team!  These precious people, who have so little materially, sang, "life is worth the living, just because He lives," more beautifully than I have ever heard it."  I remember us singing verse two that morning and it struck me then, as it did yesterday, what a beautiful verse it is.

We are living in uncertain days.  Things as mundane as going to the store for toilet paper bring a level of uncertainty.  Of greater concern is the trajectory of COVID-19.  I spent 10 minutes reading the news and the only thing I am certain of is the uncertainty.  But we can face these uncertain days because He lives!  Look at the chorus to this song:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, 
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

No, we won't be meeting in our churches on Sunday to celebrate the resurrection.  But that doesn't stop the fact that Jesus did rise from the dead.  We can face tomorrow.  We can live without fear because HE holds the future.  Life, even in isolation and uncertainty, is worth the living.  Not because of anything we have or have done.  Life is worth the living just because He lives! 

Daily Dose of Medicine

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine ~ Proverbs 17:22

Lessons from Pollyanna

A recent email from one of the authors I follow told about a new book. "Lessons from Pollyanna - Using her Glad Game to Grow Spiritually and have More Joy in Your Life!"  The Kindle version of  "Lessons from Pollyanna" is currently free on Amazon.  Get your copy here.  Part of the description from Amazon says:

A beloved classic of children's literature, Pollyanna, the best-selling 1913 story by Eleanor H. Porter, shows how orphaned child Pollyanna Whittier transforms an entire town for the better with her “glad game” — optimism, faith, and determination to look for the good in everything.

Yet the story is also so much more than that! If all you know of Pollyanna is the Disney film version or reading the book as a child, you may find reading it as an adult surprising. Pollyanna has so much to teach us about living a meaningful Christ-like life, growing spiritually, and experiencing deeper joy, the joy God created us to hold fast to and cherish.

I had never read Pollyanna or seen any film version.  A quick Google search of Pollyanna brings up a slightly less cheery definition:

an excessively cheerful or optimistic person."what I am saying makes me sound like some aging Pollyanna who just wants to pretend that all is sweetness and light"

a person characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything 

The Pollyanna principle (also called Pollyannaism or positivity bias) is the tendency for people to remember pleasant items more accurately than unpleasant ones. Research indicates that at the subconscious level, the mind tends to focus on the optimistic; while at the conscious level, it tends to focus on the negative.

unreasonably or illogically optimistic

Not such a positive view, is it?  I finally found this:

The author's theme is to be grateful, not grouchy. I believe this is the author's theme because Pollyanna is trying to make the town grateful, and in the end it really works! 
   

Who was Pollyanna?

The title character is Pollyanna Whittier, an eleven-year-old orphan who goes to live in the fictional town of Beldingsville, Vermont, with her wealthy but stern and cold spinster Aunt Polly, who does not want to take in Pollyanna but feels it is her duty to her late sister. Pollyanna's philosophy of life centers on what she calls "The Glad Game," an optimistic and positive attitude she learned from her father. The game consists of finding something to be glad about in every situation, no matter how bleak it may be. It originated in an incident one Christmas when Pollyanna, who was hoping for a doll in the missionary barrel, found only a pair of crutches inside. Making the game up on the spot, Pollyanna's father taught her to look at the good side of things—in this case, to be glad about the crutches because she did not need to use them. (Wikipedia)

As I mentioned, I had never read the book.  Lessons from Pollyanna contains the book plus a Bible based devotional for each chapter.  I chose to just read the book the first time through and now plan to read it again and read the devotionals.

Was Pollyanna "someone who just wants to pretend that all is sweetness and light?"
As soon as I started reading the story, I knew using Pollyanna as an insult did not fit the story.  First of all, Pollyanna was an orphan.  Her mother died when she was very small and her father died when she was 11.  She did not pretend that losing her parents didn't hurt.  Every time she played the "Glad Game" she made a choice.  It was a choice to find something good, even when she was hurting.

I feel that many have chosen to misunderstand Pollyanna and people like her.  They read about someone who is happy most of the time and are either jealous or angry because they haven't learned to play the "Glad Game."   In September 2011 I wrote the post, "Written in Stone or Sand."  I wrote at length why my blog isn't a place of negativity.  I CHOOSE what I post and my CHOICE is to post the good, uplifting, and encouraging.  I wrote:

This blog is my stone. When someone hurts me, I won't be writing it here. My hope is not to make others unhappy with their own lives, but to be an encouragement. If you know me, you know I've buried my dear brother and my godly mother. My life is not, nor has ever been, perfect. I want to learn from hurts and mistakes, but not dwell on them.

As God's children, we can do more than play the "Glad Game."  We can live the "Glad Game."  Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  It doesn't say that all things are good, but they work together for good.  The chapter goes on to say in verses 35-39:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are more than conquerors through Him.  Nothing can separate us from the love of God.  COVID-19 can't separate us from His love.   Social distance and isolation can't keep us from Him.

This week is known around the world as "Holy Week."  The greatest event in the history of mankind occurred.  Jesus willingly gave up His life.  He was buried, but He rose again!  Call me Pollyanna if you want to, I've got a lot to be glad about!

Miscellaneous Monday Matters

Welcome to week three of Stay Home, Stay Safe.  I hope you're all doing your part and staying healthy without going crazy!  The best thing any of us can do is read more of the Good News and less of the rest of the news!  If you're spending three hours a day reading the latest COVID-19 updates and three minutes a day reading from God's word, you're going to lose the battle of the mind.  There is a lot of unknown and misinformation.

Les sent me this quote and I think it's excellent:

People should remember that they're as healthy as they feel, and shouldn't go around feeling as unhealthy as they fear.

I'm not saying that COVID-19 isn't a real threat to our health, but I am saying:  Don't Let Fear Win.
 
I thought about saving this picture for another Wordless Wednesday, but we need smiles on Monday, too!   This picture has so many things going on that make me smile.  I'm pretty sure this was Easter 1971, I was in first grade.  I was about to turn 7, Rod had just turned 8, Rick was 10, and Kim was almost 12 (our birthdays happen January through April.)  It should come as no surprise that I've always loved wearing bright colors!  But the real treasure in this picture is everything I am holding - my white purse, an Easter basked AND a huge Easter egg.  By the look on my face (which makes me giggle right along with my almost 7 year old self) I'm guessing I may have had a bit of chocolate for breakfast.  The only thing I don't know is if one or both knees were skinned...

Are you wearing a mask now?  Up to this point I have not worn one.  I'm probably going to start wearing one in the grocery store - that seems to be the only place where I'm in close contact with people I don't know.   I may end up feeling silly, it will probably really annoy me to wear one, but better safe than sorry, right?  If you're looking to buy one, Active Faith Sports is selling masks that say, "Faith Over Fear."  These are not N95 masks, but they're a cool reminder.

In an effort to stay active, I signed up for the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k virtual race. The goodie bag includes a jacket, race medal and chocolate.  The race organizer, RAM racing, chose the Make-A-Wish Foundation as their official charity.  I love what Make-A-Wish does, granting wishes to children with critical illnesses.  You can sign up for the race, 5k or 15k, HERE.  You can walk or run the race anytime between April 30th and May 31st. If you'd like to donate to Make-A-Wish, you can do that on my fundraising page HERE.

I tried something different on Friday.  We wanted pizza from our local pizza place for dinner.  They do not deliver but are still open for carry out only.  I wanted to avoid the dinner time rush, so I placed my order mid afternoon and asked them if they could bake it only half way.  They were happy to do that.  I picked the pizza up at 3:00, took it home and put in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.  I finished baking it at 425 degrees for 7-10 minutes (I just kept an eye on it.)  It was perfect!

Finally, here are two little gems from Mom's Bible to get this week started on the right foot:

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow,
it only saps today of its strength.

I can see to the corner,
but God sees around the corner,
Don't worry!

Tell me some good news!  

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Fear Not, Daughter of Zion

I saved this post especially for today - Palm Sunday.  Most of the time we would be at church, waving our palms.  For some that would be actual palm branches, for some it would the palms of our hands.  We celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  John 12:12-16 says, "On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.  And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,  Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him."

This is one of many prophecy that Jesus fulfilled.  Zechariah 9:9 says, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."

Poor Man's Commentary by Robert Hawker says:
It is worthy remark, that the four Evangelists all notice this triumphal entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, five days before his death as if to testify the prophecy concerning it. (Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9.) And it is worthy of still further remark, that none but Christ ever made such a public entry, and therefore the conclusion is undeniable. Behold! how distinguished from every other king, is Zion’s king. No trumpets, no gorgeous apparel, no courtly attendants, but as the Lord himself was meek and lowly, every accommodation corresponded to the humble appearance! Such was, and is, Jesus!

We are not gathering in our churches today, but we can still rejoice.  We can raise our hands in worship in our homes because our King came.  We have no need to fear, Jesus fulfilled every prophecy concerning Him.  I'm borrowing some notes that Les has used in our Adult Sunday school class.  This table shows the odds of one man fulfilling just one of the Old Testament prophecies:

Old Testament Prophecy	New Testament Fulfillment	Probability
Christ to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)	And Herod asked where Christ had been born ... they answered Bethlehem (Matt 2:4-6)	2.8 x 105 or 1 in 280,000
Forerunner of Christ (Malachi 3:1)	John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ (Mark 1:2-8)	1 x 103 or 1 in 1,000
Christ to enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey (Zech 9:9)	Christ enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey (Matt 21:4-11)	1 x 102 or 1 in 100
Christ to be betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9)	Judas betrayed Jesus (Luke 22:21)	1 x 103 or 1 in 1,000
Christ to be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zech 11:12)	Judas sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matt 26:15)	1 x 103 or 1 in 1,000
30 pieces of silver casted down and used to buy a potter's field (Zech 11:13)	30 pieces of silver used to buy a potter's field (Matt 27:3-10)	1 x 105 or 1 in 100,000
Although innocent, Christ kept silent when on trial (Isaiah 53:7)	Jesus kept silent when questioned (Mark 14:60-61)	1 x 103 or 1 in 1,000
Christ crucified (Psalm 22:16)	Jesus was crucified (John 19:17, 18)	1 x 104 or 1 in 10,000

The odds of one man fulfilling ALL of the prophecies listed are

1 in 1 x 10²⁸

Or:
1 in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000  (I don't even know what that number is called!)

Or:
If you covered the state of California in quarters over 5 feet deep and painted just ONE of them red.  The odds of finding that quarter on your first try are the same as Jesus fulfilling all these prophecies.

Add the virgin birth, and the odds go from improbable to truly impossible.

Fear not!  He did it!  Rejoice!  He did it!  We don't have to be in a church house to celebrate our King.  He came, He died, He was buried, and He rose again.  Fear not!